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Top of the Dale #2
Tales Out of School
After an eventful start to his first ever teaching post in the sleepy village of Risingdale, Tom Dwyer is hoping for a bit of calm. Nursing a broken heart after a romantic disappointment, he just wants to keep his head down and get on with his job.
But it is not to be. A beautiful London artist sets tongues wagging when she moves into the village, and her precocious yet frail son is in Tom's class. On top of that, his colleague's malicious ex-husband is back, determined to create mischief, and a tragedy on one of the winding country roads sends the village reeling. And all this alongside a class of children who still seem to know more about farming than fractions.
With its colourful mix of characters both old and new and its many laugh-out-loud moments, Tales Out of School is a warm, humorous portrayal of life in a small Yorkshire village.
But it is not to be. A beautiful London artist sets tongues wagging when she moves into the village, and her precocious yet frail son is in Tom's class. On top of that, his colleague's malicious ex-husband is back, determined to create mischief, and a tragedy on one of the winding country roads sends the village reeling. And all this alongside a class of children who still seem to know more about farming than fractions.
With its colourful mix of characters both old and new and its many laugh-out-loud moments, Tales Out of School is a warm, humorous portrayal of life in a small Yorkshire village.
- GenresFiction
400 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2020
57 people are currently reading
77 people want to read
About the author
Gervase Phinn
100 books172 followersGervase Phinn (born 27 December 1946, Rotherham, South Yorkshire, England) is an English author and educator. After a career as a teacher he became a schools inspector.
He is now a freelance lecturer, broadcaster and writer, a consultant for the Open University, Honorary Fellow of St. John's College, York, Doctor of Letters (D.Litt) of the University of Leicester, Doctor of Letters (D.Litt) of The University of Hull and the Fellow and Visiting Professor of Education at The University of Teesside.
In 2005 the highest academic award of Sheffield Hallam University, Doctor of the University (D.Univ.) was conferred upon him by the Chancellor, Professor Lord Robert Winston. In 2006 he became President of The School Library Association.
He has published five volumes of memoir, collections of poetry and a number of books about education. He has a particular interest in children's literature and literacy.
He is married with four grown-up children.
He is now a freelance lecturer, broadcaster and writer, a consultant for the Open University, Honorary Fellow of St. John's College, York, Doctor of Letters (D.Litt) of the University of Leicester, Doctor of Letters (D.Litt) of The University of Hull and the Fellow and Visiting Professor of Education at The University of Teesside.
In 2005 the highest academic award of Sheffield Hallam University, Doctor of the University (D.Univ.) was conferred upon him by the Chancellor, Professor Lord Robert Winston. In 2006 he became President of The School Library Association.
He has published five volumes of memoir, collections of poetry and a number of books about education. He has a particular interest in children's literature and literacy.
He is married with four grown-up children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
March 22, 2020
4-5 stars
In the light of the pandemic this book is a lovely piece of escapism, transporting you back to the 1980’s and the stunningly beautiful Yorkshire Dales. Gervase Phinn was always a most welcome guest at my school to both staff and students alike as he’s so entertaining! He does the same with the written word. The story centres around the village school of Rislingdale, which has the axe of closure hanging over it as do many other small, country schools. The arrival of the widowed artist Mrs Stanhope and her delightful son Leo causes a bit of a flurry and some gentlemen to smarten up their attire in order try to catch her eye. She is very elegant and extremely attractive. Tom Dwyer, ex professional footballer turned very successful teacher who has been a breathe of educational fresh air in the lovely school, is one such hopeful suitor. The headteacher Mr Gaunt is also rather smitten. This is a gentle, humorous and vivid snapshot of village and school life at a time of educational change is a pleasure to read.
The book is peppered with really colourful characters, the Yorkshire dialect is very well captured and the glorious Dales setting shines through, though it clearly shows that farming here in winter is tough like the Herdwick sheep some of them farm. Check them out if you’ve never seen one as they smile!! I want one. Or better still two!! There are some very funny situations not least created by Mrs Gosling the school cleaner, oh sorry, assistant caretaker. She is dazzlingly eye catching with vibrant hair and clashing clothes and exuberant knitting. That sadly goes along with her judgemental mouth!! There’s also Mrs Sloughtwaite in the village shop with her malapropisms that make you smile. The storytelling is lively, it’s well written, there’s a lot that happens in this community over the six months covered, both good and bad. The only negative is that at times it’s over detailed but it’s certainly not dull!
Overall, a lovely easy read at a time when we could probably all do with it. As a former teacher who did a teaching practice in a tiny Yorkshire Wolds school a lot resonates as did the late 80’s winds of change. However, you most certainly do not need to be a teacher to appreciate this little gem. It shines a spotlight on a tight knit community some of whom have the legendary Yorkshire tight pockets. It’s entertaining from start to finish.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Hodder and Stoughton for a copy of the book.
In the light of the pandemic this book is a lovely piece of escapism, transporting you back to the 1980’s and the stunningly beautiful Yorkshire Dales. Gervase Phinn was always a most welcome guest at my school to both staff and students alike as he’s so entertaining! He does the same with the written word. The story centres around the village school of Rislingdale, which has the axe of closure hanging over it as do many other small, country schools. The arrival of the widowed artist Mrs Stanhope and her delightful son Leo causes a bit of a flurry and some gentlemen to smarten up their attire in order try to catch her eye. She is very elegant and extremely attractive. Tom Dwyer, ex professional footballer turned very successful teacher who has been a breathe of educational fresh air in the lovely school, is one such hopeful suitor. The headteacher Mr Gaunt is also rather smitten. This is a gentle, humorous and vivid snapshot of village and school life at a time of educational change is a pleasure to read.
The book is peppered with really colourful characters, the Yorkshire dialect is very well captured and the glorious Dales setting shines through, though it clearly shows that farming here in winter is tough like the Herdwick sheep some of them farm. Check them out if you’ve never seen one as they smile!! I want one. Or better still two!! There are some very funny situations not least created by Mrs Gosling the school cleaner, oh sorry, assistant caretaker. She is dazzlingly eye catching with vibrant hair and clashing clothes and exuberant knitting. That sadly goes along with her judgemental mouth!! There’s also Mrs Sloughtwaite in the village shop with her malapropisms that make you smile. The storytelling is lively, it’s well written, there’s a lot that happens in this community over the six months covered, both good and bad. The only negative is that at times it’s over detailed but it’s certainly not dull!
Overall, a lovely easy read at a time when we could probably all do with it. As a former teacher who did a teaching practice in a tiny Yorkshire Wolds school a lot resonates as did the late 80’s winds of change. However, you most certainly do not need to be a teacher to appreciate this little gem. It shines a spotlight on a tight knit community some of whom have the legendary Yorkshire tight pockets. It’s entertaining from start to finish.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Hodder and Stoughton for a copy of the book.
August 19, 2021
Another classic about one of the village school or more the tale of out of the school. Tom still a favourite mine impressed me with his skills with Leo. Cannot wait to read the next one.
January 4, 2023
An undemanding comfort read to start 2023!
March 12, 2024
A delightful easy read. So much going on in a small village based around a village school.
October 22, 2025
Gervase Phinn is one of my favorite authors and as usual he didn't disappoint. Need a lift? Read a Gervase book.
April 20, 2020
The little village school at Risingdale has a new pupil, Leo. He & his Mother cause quite a stir in the village with their arrival. Who is she and why is renting the old Methodist chapel? With tales of everyday school & village life this is another excellent book by Gervase Phinn.
This is the second book in a series but I read it as a stand alone book & had no problems with the story or the characters. I didn't feel that I was "out of the loop" in any way.
What can I say about Gervase Phinn books? They are light and easy to read but that doesn't mean that they have little content. They are stuffed full of vivid descriptions of everyday life in the village as well as the most wonderful cast of characters. Having read several of the author's autobiographical works I know that the characters and events are taken from his many years as a school inspector in rural Yorkshire.
Gervase Phinn is a born storyteller. I was captivated from start to finish. Just sit back, relax and be prepared for a good read with a few laugh out loud moments on the way.
I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley.
This is the second book in a series but I read it as a stand alone book & had no problems with the story or the characters. I didn't feel that I was "out of the loop" in any way.
What can I say about Gervase Phinn books? They are light and easy to read but that doesn't mean that they have little content. They are stuffed full of vivid descriptions of everyday life in the village as well as the most wonderful cast of characters. Having read several of the author's autobiographical works I know that the characters and events are taken from his many years as a school inspector in rural Yorkshire.
Gervase Phinn is a born storyteller. I was captivated from start to finish. Just sit back, relax and be prepared for a good read with a few laugh out loud moments on the way.
I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley.
February 1, 2021
This book I found so disappointing having read, enjoyed and laughed out loud at all previous school related series by this author. The story contained within the pages was enjoyable but it formed so little of the overall book which continuously, and very annoyingly, kept reiterating what had happened in book 1. If you are reading a book which is part of a series you either have to accept that you will have missed some of the background or, read book 1. I also found the references to our PC society a bit political which is not what I read a book for. Overall, with the amount of reiteration, I felt this book was very much about word count rather than a good novel. Not sure that I will read book 3, just in case it reiterates books 1 and 2.
May 12, 2021
This is the second in the series of the Little Village School series and is another charming tale of the mix of characters who reside and work in Risingdale, a small village set in the hills of Yorkshire. It is well written with colourful and interesting characters plus regular moments of humour. Bring on the final book in the series!
December 15, 2020
Gervase Phinn was a school inspector for many years, and it shows in the Top of the Dale novels, of which this is the second. Not that you need to have read the first to enjoy this well written book; the characters and the community generally are so well described and explained that it is easy to pick up the story. The novel revolves around the characters associated with the primary school in the village of Risingdale, where the staff are a remarkable mixture. Central to the story is Tom Dwyer, a young teacher who is trying to bring new ideas to the school in the 1980s, when the story is set. Phinn works hard to establish the time frame with small details and perhaps a certain innocence in days before social media and sophisticated children. This is a Yorkshire story of long memories, isolated farms and some fascinating characters.
The school is an important gathering place, as is the village shop in nearby Barton-in-the-Dale, run by the source of local gossip Mrs Sloughthwaite, who describes herself as “the very soul of indiscretion”. A lot of the humour in this novel comes from the children, who are nearly all from farming families and have very basic ideas about life as a result. The local vicar often visits the school, leading to some interesting situations. The family is strongly led by the family who owns the local big house and much of the land and many houses in the village, Sir Hedley Maladroit being powerful but often benevolent.
As the novel opens, a woman and a young boy are looking at schools, and end up at Risingdale. The woman appears to be very attractive to the local men, and the headteacher is no exception. She is renting the old Methodist chapel as a studio because she is a well known artist. Her son Leo’s arrival in Tom’s classroom causes some excitement, as his level of understanding is very different to the local children. Not that that is the only thing happening; Sir Maladroit’s son Julian has been causing problems for years, and his behaviour is not improving. Tom was greatly affected by the departure of a young woman in pursuit of promotion in his job, but now he begins to wonder if there are other options. The other teachers in the school include a Mr Caldwallander, who has a fund of army anecdotes and frequently has problems with his pupils. Miss Tranter has an interesting background, but during this book finds a possible alternative way of life.
This is more than a school story, involving an entire community at its most interesting. It is very funny, with gentle humour which emerges naturally from the situations drawn together in this novel. I found it very enjoyable and very engaging, with Phinn’s ability to find the natural humour in many situations. There are a lot of satisfying elements of this book which emerge from the behaviour of the people, especially as the setting with its challenging weather and memorable scenery makes a wonderful background. This is a lovely book to read which describes a time well within living memory, yet which is very interesting when described so well. I found this a really good read, and recommend it as a humorous book which tackles some serious points in community life
The school is an important gathering place, as is the village shop in nearby Barton-in-the-Dale, run by the source of local gossip Mrs Sloughthwaite, who describes herself as “the very soul of indiscretion”. A lot of the humour in this novel comes from the children, who are nearly all from farming families and have very basic ideas about life as a result. The local vicar often visits the school, leading to some interesting situations. The family is strongly led by the family who owns the local big house and much of the land and many houses in the village, Sir Hedley Maladroit being powerful but often benevolent.
As the novel opens, a woman and a young boy are looking at schools, and end up at Risingdale. The woman appears to be very attractive to the local men, and the headteacher is no exception. She is renting the old Methodist chapel as a studio because she is a well known artist. Her son Leo’s arrival in Tom’s classroom causes some excitement, as his level of understanding is very different to the local children. Not that that is the only thing happening; Sir Maladroit’s son Julian has been causing problems for years, and his behaviour is not improving. Tom was greatly affected by the departure of a young woman in pursuit of promotion in his job, but now he begins to wonder if there are other options. The other teachers in the school include a Mr Caldwallander, who has a fund of army anecdotes and frequently has problems with his pupils. Miss Tranter has an interesting background, but during this book finds a possible alternative way of life.
This is more than a school story, involving an entire community at its most interesting. It is very funny, with gentle humour which emerges naturally from the situations drawn together in this novel. I found it very enjoyable and very engaging, with Phinn’s ability to find the natural humour in many situations. There are a lot of satisfying elements of this book which emerge from the behaviour of the people, especially as the setting with its challenging weather and memorable scenery makes a wonderful background. This is a lovely book to read which describes a time well within living memory, yet which is very interesting when described so well. I found this a really good read, and recommend it as a humorous book which tackles some serious points in community life
February 3, 2024
I read and enjoyed Phinn's first series 'The Dales'. His second series, 'The Little Village School', would have been more enjoyable if I hadn't read the first series, but it rehashed far too many characters and anecdotes from the first series under different names. So I was curious to see if 'The Top of the Dale' series would be more of the same or if he could break new ground.
Unfortunately, it's not only 'more of the same' (e.g. yet another bossy school cleaner with a fondness for malaprops, yet another studious little boy with old fashioned turns of phrase, yet another drippy, long-winded, hopeless-with-children vicar...) but it is also incredibly tedious, with far too much repetition and page-filling material. For example, when artist Amanda Stanhope visits the school to see if it is suitable for her son, she subjects the unfortunate head teacher to a lecture on children and art, which is repeated on multiple occasions to various other people (and in one case, three times to the same person!)
When the staff gather in the staff room, we have another lengthy lecture, this time from one of the teachers, on the lack of political correctness in traditional fairy tales and nursery rhymes. It's the same on nearly every page...enormous amounts of excess verbiage which don't move the plot forward at all. Most of the characters also speak as if they are giving a lecture, even when chatting to friends or colleagues!
It's a real shame. It feels as if Phinn ran out of things to say at the end of his first series, but has just given in to pressure from his publishers to churn out more and more of the same because they know that some people will buy anything that has a favourite author's name on it, regardless of quality. Stick to the earlier books and give this one a miss.
Unfortunately, it's not only 'more of the same' (e.g. yet another bossy school cleaner with a fondness for malaprops, yet another studious little boy with old fashioned turns of phrase, yet another drippy, long-winded, hopeless-with-children vicar...) but it is also incredibly tedious, with far too much repetition and page-filling material. For example, when artist Amanda Stanhope visits the school to see if it is suitable for her son, she subjects the unfortunate head teacher to a lecture on children and art, which is repeated on multiple occasions to various other people (and in one case, three times to the same person!)
When the staff gather in the staff room, we have another lengthy lecture, this time from one of the teachers, on the lack of political correctness in traditional fairy tales and nursery rhymes. It's the same on nearly every page...enormous amounts of excess verbiage which don't move the plot forward at all. Most of the characters also speak as if they are giving a lecture, even when chatting to friends or colleagues!
It's a real shame. It feels as if Phinn ran out of things to say at the end of his first series, but has just given in to pressure from his publishers to churn out more and more of the same because they know that some people will buy anything that has a favourite author's name on it, regardless of quality. Stick to the earlier books and give this one a miss.
July 26, 2021
My first read of a Gervaise Phinn book. Think of a combination of Miss Read and James Herriot. Our hero, Tom Dwyer, has his second year’s teaching at the village school.
Serviceable prose, good attempt at Yorkshire dialogue ‘tha knows’, a poor mix of a narrative and a series of episodic anecdotes. A mixture of rural farming life, village school exposition, pantomime characters from rich baddies to heart-of-gold local ‘folk’, and mean scrounges and cheats.
Nonetheless, I found myself chuckling a fair number of times, as well as thinking critical thoughts equally. A writer of such experience (15 previous books at least) should have been able to plot, pace, and characterise much more successfully than he does.
The GR blurb, which misrepresents the core of the book, a pleasant and properly gentle exposition of rural life:
‘ After an eventful start to his first ever teaching post in the sleepy village of Risingdale, Tom Dwyer is hoping for a bit of calm. Nursing a broken heart after a romantic disappointment, he just wants to keep his head down and get on with his job.
But it is not to be. A beautiful London artist sets tongues wagging when she moves into the village, and her precocious yet frail son is in Tom's class. On top of that, his colleague's malicious ex-husband is back, determined to create mischief, and a tragedy on one of the winding country roads sends the village reeling. And all this alongside a class of children who still seem to know more about farming than fractions.
With its colourful mix of characters both old and new and its many laugh-out-loud moments, Tales Out of School is a warm, humorous portrayal of life in a small Yorkshire village.’
Serviceable prose, good attempt at Yorkshire dialogue ‘tha knows’, a poor mix of a narrative and a series of episodic anecdotes. A mixture of rural farming life, village school exposition, pantomime characters from rich baddies to heart-of-gold local ‘folk’, and mean scrounges and cheats.
Nonetheless, I found myself chuckling a fair number of times, as well as thinking critical thoughts equally. A writer of such experience (15 previous books at least) should have been able to plot, pace, and characterise much more successfully than he does.
The GR blurb, which misrepresents the core of the book, a pleasant and properly gentle exposition of rural life:
‘ After an eventful start to his first ever teaching post in the sleepy village of Risingdale, Tom Dwyer is hoping for a bit of calm. Nursing a broken heart after a romantic disappointment, he just wants to keep his head down and get on with his job.
But it is not to be. A beautiful London artist sets tongues wagging when she moves into the village, and her precocious yet frail son is in Tom's class. On top of that, his colleague's malicious ex-husband is back, determined to create mischief, and a tragedy on one of the winding country roads sends the village reeling. And all this alongside a class of children who still seem to know more about farming than fractions.
With its colourful mix of characters both old and new and its many laugh-out-loud moments, Tales Out of School is a warm, humorous portrayal of life in a small Yorkshire village.’
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July 22, 2025I am not going to rate this because I did not read the entire book, maybe only the first five chapters. What put me off was the writing. It was treacly, like something a school child might write for an essay competition. There was no life or lightness in the dialogue. The characters all spoke like they had been given scripts to read out. And there was an incredible amount of telling instead of showing, as if the reader would not know what is going on unless it is spelled out to them. There is far too much description going on about everything from people's appearances to classroom walls, and everyone is speaking in paragraphs. I am sure there are many who have enjoyed the book, and that is good news for them and the author, but I found it quite tedious to get through. Again, the story might have been perfectly rollicking, I don't know because I didn't finish the book, but I could not stomach the writing itself. I don't believe anyone would sit in a pub with a friend and say,'The people of this town are pleasant enough, but they are inward looking and parochial.' But that's just my opinion.
January 7, 2021
Tales Out Of School by Gervase Phinn is a delightful contemporary tale and the second book in the Top Of The Dale series.
It is wonderful to continue following the characters we met in book one. Gervase Phinn perfectly captures the mannerisms and speech of the wide range of characters found within a Dales village.
Dales folk speak plainly. This creates moments of hilarity especially from the children with their vast knowledge of all things farm animal and especially sheep. I did laugh out loud on many occasions.
Village life comes with its joys and sorrows. Gossip is rife, secrets are shared not kept. Your life is public property which can create misunderstandings. On the whole people are kind, standing together and offering support when needed.
Dales life comes alive under the masterful pen of Gervase Phinn. I love all his books. Why not take a trip to God’s own country today? You will be glad you did.
It is wonderful to continue following the characters we met in book one. Gervase Phinn perfectly captures the mannerisms and speech of the wide range of characters found within a Dales village.
Dales folk speak plainly. This creates moments of hilarity especially from the children with their vast knowledge of all things farm animal and especially sheep. I did laugh out loud on many occasions.
Village life comes with its joys and sorrows. Gossip is rife, secrets are shared not kept. Your life is public property which can create misunderstandings. On the whole people are kind, standing together and offering support when needed.
Dales life comes alive under the masterful pen of Gervase Phinn. I love all his books. Why not take a trip to God’s own country today? You will be glad you did.
May 19, 2021
This book is set in the second term that follows Tom Dwyer’s first year as a teacher. It is set in the early 1980s just before education changed. It’s uncertain as to who the central character is as Tom Dwyer seems to take a lesser role in this book than the first.
There are some great characters and Gervase Phinn is a good story teller. I wonder if some of this series is autobiographical.
I find Tom Dwyer too much a Mr Perfect & there is some delight when he makes mistakes.
There are some great characters and Gervase Phinn is a good story teller. I wonder if some of this series is autobiographical.
I find Tom Dwyer too much a Mr Perfect & there is some delight when he makes mistakes.
January 7, 2024
A cosy read where I felt enveloped in the village life, people and school of Risingdale during the 1980’s, this a tiny close knit farming community in the Yorkshire Dales. This was a warmth of escapism which I enjoyed reading.
Not all sugar & spice as every storyline didn’t finish with the cosy cottage and picket fence or with a happy ever after sign….
Liked the descriptions of the diverse characters and the friendly text drawing you in to turn the next page for more…
Not all sugar & spice as every storyline didn’t finish with the cosy cottage and picket fence or with a happy ever after sign….
Liked the descriptions of the diverse characters and the friendly text drawing you in to turn the next page for more…
November 11, 2025
Having recently read three books of a far less humorous nature, this was a most welcome change. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and portrayal of their Yorkshire accent. The story lines were interesting and some of the humour did make me laugh out loud.
I will definitely be reading #3 in this series.
I will definitely be reading #3 in this series.
October 17, 2021
This was so brilliant, so comforting and just the thing right now when I'm swamped with work and can barely keep my head above water. Every villager is on the path to happiness again, a lot happens at the school and the third and last intallment should be such a treat.
June 28, 2022
Tom is such a great character and is a stellar example as a teacher for the Dales school. Poor guy gets a little confused about which woman he should fall for. I can’t get enough of Gervase Phinn’s writings. Every book I’ve read is well thought out, organized, entertaining, humorous, heart-warming, and just all around cozy.
May 13, 2021
It would have got more stars but the author repeated too much content from the first book in the series to fill in the back story. Don’t bother reading it if you have read the first.
May 18, 2021
Another funny read involving the characters who have been in the last two books. There are some LOL moments
November 25, 2021
Fine believable storyline with the usual Gervaise Phinn’s humour running through it
I’m of an age that can go back to the time written about and had my memory jogged with pleasure
I’m of an age that can go back to the time written about and had my memory jogged with pleasure
November 28, 2021
Loved it. Mr Phinn certainly has the ability to tug at your heart strings.
December 27, 2021
The charming second novel in the Top of the Dale series is another cozy visit to the Yorkshire Dales.
May 24, 2022
Have now read the whole series of these books, have enjoyed everyone .
June 16, 2022
Continues the joys of the village school with the characters from book 1 - now on to read the finale book 3
August 24, 2022
Lovely read
November 14, 2022
An easy enjoyable read.
September 9, 2023
Hilarious
August 2, 2024
A pleasant soap-opera about life in a remote Yorkshire village in the 1980s.
April 4, 2021
Good Feel-good book. A sweat insight into village life with wonderfully interesting characters. If only I could visit Risingdale. Looking forward to part 3.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews